Harry Kane hits back after Gary Lineker and Gary Neville criticized England

Harry Kane hit back at critics after Gary Lineker and Gary Neville gave very blunt verdicts on England’s performance on the tour so far.

Kane scored in England’s second Euro 2024 group game against Denmark, but the team could only manage a 1-1 draw after Morten Hjulmand’s equaliser. The performance led to Match of the Day host Lineker labeling the display a “s***”, a comment which did not sit well with Kane.

England entered the tournament on the back of a defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up game. They bounced back to beat Serbia 1-0 in their opener but a poor performance against Denmark led to calls for manager Southgate to make changes for the final group game against Slovenia.

Southgate’s side reached the final of the previous Euros, where they were beaten by Italy on penalties. That appeared to be on Kane’s mind when he addressed Lineker – whose best tour performance with England was reaching the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup.

Kane said: “I would never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially, you know, a player who has pulled on the shirt and knows what it’s like to play for England,” the Three Lions captain said . “Maybe ex-players or ex-players who are experts now need to realize … it’s very hard not to listen (to what they say) now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who they are new. to the environment,” reports Oglinda.

“So I always feel like (former players and pundits) have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have a responsibility to be an ex-England player.”

“The bottom line is that we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time. And, you know, a lot of these former players have been part of it too… they know it’s hard to do. playing in these major tournaments it’s hard to play for England.”

Kane continued: “I would never disrespect any former player, all I would say is remember what it’s like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to. Some of the guys, I don’t know how many, but we hear that.”

“We all want to win a major and I’m sure they want us to win a major and being as helpful as possible and building guys up with confidence would be a much better way to do that.

“Maybe when I’m 40 or 50 I’ll be at one of those shows trying to get players out – I hope they’re not. It could change.” Kane said.

“But it is what it is, but from my point of view, with the experience of the players who have been there and maybe not played well in certain games and know how difficult it is to play for England, maybe they can take a step back and see where have you been and how was it.”

England’s haul of four points from two group games mirrors Euro 2020, when wins against Croatia and a goalless draw with Scotland did them good. Moreover, they only conceded twice in the entire competition until the heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the final round.

Gary Lineker isn’t the only former trainee to have his say on England’s start to the tour – Gary Neville has suggested some changes could be in store for Tuesday’s clash with Slovenia. Speaking to ITV, Neville floated the idea of ​​bringing Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo into midfield.

He also suggested Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon could see action on his tour debut.

Southgate’s debates over a suitable midfield companion for Rice, as well as the need for pace alongside Kane, were highlighted by Neville: “That’s Gordon and that’s Mainoo. back.”

Touching on speed concerns, he added: “I think the pace question is there, we’ve been talking about it for a couple of days. I think he might even be disruptive enough to do what he’s done in previous tournaments and go for a Three and back. It’s a bit difficult for Gareth.